Prospect Laiatu Latu to Meet With Maxx Crosby

UCLA outside linebacker Laiatu Latu is a big fan of Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- One of the most exciting parts about entering the NFL for prospects is the opportunity to meet their favorite players.

Outside linebacker Laiatu Latu of UCLA will have the chance to do just that when he meets Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end rusher Maxx Crosby in the coming weeks.

"I haven't met Maxx -- I've talked to him on the phone a little bit," Latu said at the 2024 NFL Combine on Wednesday. "He's been giving me some tips and stuff like that, and then, in the coming weeks, I'll be able to watch some film with him and get some field work with him, actually, yeah."

When it comes to NFL pass rushers who Latu looks up to, Crosby and Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt are the first to come to mind for the All-American.

"I mean, the way he [Crosby] plays the game, I mean, he's a mad man," Latu said. "And the way he gets after it in the run, and I can't look up to him enough."

Former UCLA outside linebacker Laiatu Latu is a big fan of Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby / © Kirby Lee | 2024 Feb 28

Latu is likely to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as one of the top defenders in the class. He comes off a terrific final college season in which he led the nation in tackles for losses per game at 1.8 and finished fourth in the country in sacks per game at 1.08.

In all, Latu finished his three college seasons with 85 combined tackles, 34 for losses, two interceptions, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 25 games.

Latu was selected All-Pac-12 First Team and also was named to the Associated Press All-American First Team. He won the Lombardi Award, the Ted Hendricks Award, and the Polynesian Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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